Oxford united FC
Oxford United: EFL clubs reject introduction of VAR
Football Video Support – a version of VAR which is used in other sports – was proposed by Professional Game Match Officials at the EFL’s annual meeting in March.
FVS would provide managers with two reviews per match, with the referee presented with different camera angles at a monitor by the side of the pitch. The manager would keep a review if successful.
However, the Press Association has been told that the introduction of the system was opposed by the majority of clubs following a subsequent EFL survey.
It is understood goal-line technology will continue to be used in the Championship next season and could be extended to League One, pending a vote on fully costed proposals in June.
Oxford United are currently fighting to retain their Championship status with only three games left of the season.
The U’s face Wrexham this evening and are currently five points away from safety after a 1-0 defeat to Derby County last weekend.
VAR was introduced to the Premier League in 2019, but a recent survey by the Football Supporters’ Association discovered that three-quarters of top-flight fans are against its use.
Nearly 8,000 supporters, just over half of whom attend in excess of 15 home games a season, took part in the poll to assess attitudes to the technology.
The results demonstrated just how unpopular it has become, with more than 97 per cent of respondents opposing the statement that VAR makes watching football more enjoyable, while more than 90 per cent disagreed that it has made the matchgoing experience better.
Asked if they support the use of VAR in football, meanwhile, 75.71 per cent said they do not, with more than 70 per cent disagreeing that it has improved the overall accuracy of refereeing decisions. More than 90 per cent also believe the technology has removed the spontaneous joy of goal celebrations.
Oxford United take one Wrexham in a crucial match in the Championship relegation battle, with the U’s commemorating 40 years since their Milk Cup victory.
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Goals from Trevor Hebberd, Ray Houghton, and Jeremy Charles secured a surprisingly comfortable 3-0 win over favourites Queens Park Rangers.
Yellows supporter Graham Dunn, 55, was another who was 15 at the time of the triumph, and found himself at Wembley in his early days following the U’s.
“It was the most normal extraordinary day,” Dunn reminisced.
“You could say I was a glory hunter, having fallen for Oxford during their Milk Cup run two years earlier. But the thing was, Oxford kept doing the unthinkable.
“On the one hand being at Wembley watching Maurice Evans lead Oxford out – something that happened to other teams, not us – seemed surprisingly normal once we were actually doing it.
“We had been pretty dismal since the semi-final and didn’t go in with much hope, so were determined to make the most of the day out. I think we arrived at Wembley three or four hours before the game, and just lapped up the novelty of us being part of a cup final.
“Then the sun came out, Hebberd broke free and, in my mind at least, we were never losing. It is a moment that can never be topped – though it was only a moment and I do kind of wish I’d had the 40 years of supporting pain before rather than after cup glory – as that might have better prepared me for what was to come.”
Oxford fan and former football scout Darren Britnell, 57, was an apprentice with the U’s at the time, offering a different perspective on the day from behind the scenes.
“One of the most stand out memories was the boots that the players wore on the day,” he recalled
“Different players were sponsored by some of the top boot manufacturers and were supplied boots and tracksuits. These, whether it be their training or match day boots had to be cleaned and polished so your face could be seen in them!
READ MORE: Fans remember Oxford United Wembley heroics in 1986 PART ONE
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“This took another twist when Ken Fish asked to do the same procedure, but then paint each logo on every boot with white paint so that it stood out for the cameras!
“We had to use an oil based paint which was accompanied with a high, almost toxic odour making us feel light headed. It took us days because every adidas stripe, every Nike tick etc had to have three coats to meets Ken’s requirements.”
Oxford are set to commemorate the cup win at this evening’s home match against Wrexham with cup-winning players in attendance at the Kassam Stadium.
Parkinson gave his two cents on the relegation contest ahead of his side’s Tuesday night visit to the Kassam Stadium, praising the U’s despite their most recent defeat.
The Red Dragons travel to OX4 fighting for a Championship play-off place with three games to go.
“Derby game was a bad result for them,” the 58-year-old declared in his pre-match press conference.
“West Brom winning away at Preston; Portsmouth with three wins on the bounce. So teams around them have picked up crucial results. And in [this stage of the season], that does happen; the bottom teams have that galvanising effect when it matters most.
“Unfortunately for Oxford, the teams around them have just picked up valuable wins.”
Video thoughts after a tough result to take in #OxfordUnited’s 1-0 defeat to Derby County. 💭
Refreshment needed for Wrexham on Tuesday after a performance which felt like one of a doomed team. 😬#oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/EKvW0fm271
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) April 18, 2026
The reverse fixture back in October saw the Yellows defeated by a 1-0 score line in the first match-up between the two clubs since 2013.
Oxford now have a different manager in Matt Bloomfield and have lost only twice in their last nine games.
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READ MORE: Fans remember Oxford United Wembley heroics in 1986 PART ONE
“Their recent record is decent in terms of they’ve had some good home wins and, as we’ve said many times, the difference in standard between the top and the bottom, you certainly can’t underestimate any team at all.
“We went down to West Brom recently and our levels weren’t where they needed to be.
“We need to treat [Oxford] as a really good side, which they are. They’ve got a great work ethic in the team and we’ve got to be ready to match that, first and foremost.”
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